On the afternoon of May 7, 2015 in Helena, Montana, Richard Brodowy lost his battle with cancer. He was 88 years old and had resided in the Helena area since 1969.
Richard was born on Christmas Day, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the eldest of the two sons of Frank and Claire Brodowy. Most of Dick’s working years were spent in the aviation industry. At age 16 he went to work for Northwest Airlines. In 1944 he enlisted in the US Navy; he was stationed in Jacksonville, FL, St. Louis, MO, & Hawaii during his military service as an aviation mechanic. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Dick attended aviation mechanics school in St. Louis. While in St. Louis he met his future bride, Dorothy Ann Struttmann.
Richard & Dorothy were married in January 1948, in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were blessed with five children: Theodore, Thomas, Richard, Jeralyn, & James. While living in St. Paul, Richard owned & operated an automobile service station. The family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota in 1963 where Richard secured a job as an aviation mechanic. In July 1969 Richard and his family moved to Helena where he began a new career with the Federal Aviation Administration as a maintenance inspector and accident investigator. He retired from the FAA in 1990. In addition to Dick’s active duty service, he also served in the Navy Reserve and National Guard.
Dick enjoyed many outdoor activities including snowmobiling, cross country skiing, fishing, camping, hiking, and target shooting. He was especially fond of visiting Glacier National Park in the summer and Yellowstone National Park in the winter. In later years he took pleasure in walking Gus, his miniature Schnauzer and faithful companion.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy who passed away in August 1997 after a long illness. He married Sharon Elizabeth Hoff of East Helena in 1998; Sharon passed away in 2005 after a courageous battle with cancer. Richard was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gene, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Survivors include Richard’s children, Theodore (Susan Near) of Helena; Thomas of Helena; Richard (Eve LaRae) of Florence; Jeralyn (Steve Klarich) of Bozeman; and James (Margie) of East Helena. He also leaves five grandchildren: Stephanie Hanson, Rebecca Hanson, Michelle Brodowy, Shawn Brodowy, and Gabriel Brodowy. Dick’s special friend Jeannine Nelson, who brought him great joy over the last 10 years, also survives him.
A memorial service for Richard will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue, in Helena. Following a short reception, Richard will be interred with military honors at Ft. Harrison Cemetery next to his wife Dorothy. Memorials in Richard’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society: 3550 Mullan Road, Missoula, MT 59808, Hospice or the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday May 14, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Social Gathering
After the service
Thursday May 14, 2015
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the Social Gathering
Thursday May 14, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Ft. Harrison , Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday May 14, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Social Gathering
After the service
Thursday May 14, 2015
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the Social Gathering
Thursday May 14, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Ft. Harrison , Montana 59636
Share
Molly Protheroe says
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time.
Kim Benson-Johnson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember many visits to the house in Brainerd, MN as a child and visiting the house in Clancy, MT as an adult. My best memories are camping at Glacier Park and spending time with all of you. Mr. Brodowy (as I called him) was a wonderful man and a great friend to my family. He was my father’s oldest friend, as they had grown up together in Minnesota. I will miss him.
Lorna Vivrette says
So sorry, to hear about Uncle Dick passing. I just saw this on a google search. My mother passed away on April 3rd of the same year.
We all have fond memories of Uncle Dick from younger years!
Hope all the cousins are well!!
Lorna Vivrette (Brodowy)
Lvivrette@msn.com